2 Tips For Using Massage Therapy To Treat A Muscle Strain Experienced While Running
Running on a consistent basis is not only a good way for improving your cardiovascular health and endurance, but it will also help to strengthen your entire body. While running more often can cause less discomfort, it can also result in an increased likelihood of developing an injury. Each time that you decide to push your body, you risk exposing it to muscle strains. Muscle strains are only temporary and will heal if you give your muscles some time to recover. This means that you should avoid running for a few days. In addition, you can use massage therapy to aid in your body's recovery from a muscle strain. There are a few tips that you can use to make sure that you get the maximum benefit from using massage therapy to treat your muscle strains.
Avoid Exercising Immediately After Your Massage
Massage therapy is extremely effective for treating muscle strains caused from running because it helps to target the tension points throughout your body. This not only increases flexibility to these parts of your body but will improve blood circulation to these areas as well. As a result, you may feel energized after your massage therapy. However, you should avoid using this newfound energy to exercise. After your massage therapy session, your body is still in recovery mode. Your muscles and body will need at least a day's rest to recover. If you are still experiencing some muscle strain during this time, then you should start off with mild exercises like walking.
Practice Stretching After Your Massage Sessions
Massage therapy is extremely beneficial for runners because it helps to loosen muscles that are normally tight. This includes anything from your hamstring to your Achilles tendon. Tight muscles often pull on other areas of your body in order to overcompensate. Therefore, you should practice stretching after your massage therapy is completed in order to maintain your flexibility. A deep massage will alleviate sore muscles, but stretching regularly will ensure that they do not return to their original state. Squats and lunges are two good exercises that are good for stretching your legs before a run or any workout. Both exercises can be performed with just your body weight.
If you are an avid runner, then muscle strains are difficult to avoid unless you are properly prepared. Therefore, use these tips to ensure that you are able to maintain healthy muscles with the help of massage therapy. For more information, contact BalanCenter or a similar location.
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